Take Me Home

I really wanted to like Ironheart. As a huge fan of the Marvel universe, the concept of a new superhero emerging usually excites me. I appreciate that superhero stories blend science fiction with a touch of the fantastical; the appeal lies in that delicate balance between the unbelievable and the grounded.

However, Ironheart pushes the boundaries too far. The show introduces Riri Williams as a genius who, seemingly overnight, creates a sophisticated, AI-guided flying suit while still in school. This feels far too accelerated and undermines the very premise of a "superhero business" like Stark Industries. It's one thing for a hero to be exceptionally gifted, but when they can replicate, in a dorm room, what takes immense resources and years of development for multi-billion dollar corporations, it breaks the suspension of disbelief essential to the genre.

Though we met Riri Williams in the underrated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, we didn't dive deep into who she was as a character.

Here, we get to find out what makes Riri special. She's her own thing, she isn't Tony Stark or Shuri, she is from a poor background and didn't have the resources both Stark and Shuri inherited.

Looking forward to see the rest of the show. It feels like this show has something to say and I think we will have fun time getting there.

Jim Rash was a fun deep cut for a returning character, but mostly excited for the excellent Anthony Ramos to flex his charm as The Hood.

Alright, let's talk Ironheart Episode 1. I'm just going to say it: I'm genuinely impressed. As someone who's usually pretty hard on Marvel's small-screen ventures, this premiere, "Gifted," actually grabbed me right from the start.

Riri Williams is just fantastic. Dominique Thorne brings this sharp, relatable energy to her. Seeing her navigate MIT, deal with grief, and then casually build a suit of armor in her dorm room? Iconic.

It's got that classic Marvel genius vibe, but it feels fresh. The pacing was on point, the setup for the main conflict with The Hood feels genuinely intriguing, and I appreciate that they're really leaning into the tech and innovation aspect without getting bogged down in too much exposition.

Now, it's not perfect. There were a couple of moments that felt a touch rushed, and I'm still waiting to see if the supporting cast gets enough room to breathe. But honestly, these are minor quibbles for a premiere.

For once, a Marvel TV show premiere has me genuinely hooked. I'm actually looking forward to seeing where this goes and if it can keep this momentum up. Definitely a promising start!

Absolutely blown away by this first episode. Strong characters brilliant story and tbh it feels like Marvel are back in the room. Boom..!!!!

I had no idea this was even in the pipeline and I have watched every single Marvel iteration. A lot of people feel like the superhero genre is done. Well they are wrong. Snd this is just the first show in a brand new arsenal and I got one can't wait for it all. Maybe I'm a superfan. But I know what is good entertainment and what is rubbish. This is Marvellous. Pun intended 😎 apparently I need to keep writing to convince you this is worth a watch. As a true Trekkie and general scifi aficionado? I am loving this show. Please watch it.

Many viewers have grown disenchanted with the Disney+ MCU series, with a significant portion of the audience having long since disengaged. Nevertheless, I find it worthwhile and somewhat relevant to stay informed about the ongoing developments within the MCU, as it often provides easy, accessible entertainment. That said, I didn't have particularly high expectations for this show-not due to any disinterest in the character, but because its prolonged development suggested that Marvel might have been attempting to conceal it. However, the first episode of "Ironheart" has been released, and it proves to be fairly solid.

The opening of the episode is densely packed, and it becomes evident that the show has undergone multiple revisions. What seems like it should have been a more impactful introduction-perhaps spread across several episodes-is condensed into a few minutes, which rather abruptly thrusts us into the action. We are quickly introduced to the protagonist and the opposing heist group, but the pacing feels uneven as a result. However, the episode gains its footing once it delves into the emotional core of Riri's backstory, exploring her relationships with her mother, friends, and family in Chicago. This is where the audience truly connects with her, gaining insight into her struggles. It is in these moments that Dominique Thorne has the opportunity to truly shine. As Riri expresses her desires, vulnerabilities, and passions, Thorne exemplifies why she was the perfect choice for the role. There is a palpable fire within this character, making her endlessly relatable and engaging. Overall, the actors compensate for the heavy exposition, which at times hinders the pacing. Additionally, it is refreshing to return to the fundamental aspect of genius-passion. While Tony Stark's genius was powered by vast resources, Riri's brilliance is driven by necessity, forcing her into morally ambiguous actions. This dynamic brings her into conflict with the antagonists, including a quietly formidable Anthony Ramos as the Hood.

"Take Me Home" serves as a solid introduction to both the character and the series, though it feels as though it was intended to be more expansive. While the episode appears to have undergone some retooling, it nonetheless succeeds in establishing Riri as a compelling lead and in laying the groundwork for an intriguing narrative moving forward.